Films explore 1970s icons Steve McQueen, Tower Records3 min read

“Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans” is the true story of McQueen’s life-changing passion and the filming of the 1971 racing film “Le Mans,” which concludes with McQueen’s character Michael Delaney offering a two-fingered salute — meaning both “V for Victory” and an obscene gesture in France — to his defeated archrival.

The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premieres of the documentaries “Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans” and “All Things Must Pass” showing Monday through Thursday, Jan. 11 through 14, at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.

‘Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans’

“Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans” is a gripping, moving documentary feature film that takes you on a nerve-tingling ride with one of the greatest movie stars of all time.

By 1970, Steve McQueen ruled Hollywood; he was at the top of his game, commanding respect from and wielding power over industry executives and A-list talent. Hot off the back of classics like “The Magnificent Seven,” “The Great Escape” and “The Thomas Crown Affair,” McQueen had established himself as Hollywood’s quintessential anti-hero, the King of Cool and the world’s most notorious ladies’ man.

A racing fanatic, his already-legendary status allowed him to begin production on a passion project centered around the greatest test of driving skill in the world: Le Mans, a 24-hour car race in France. But when the shoot was plagued by financial troubles, on-set rivalries and rumors of his affairs, McQueen’s personal life began to unravel and his dream film quickly turned into a nightmare.

Interweaving original insights and revelations from those closest to McQueen — including his son Chad and first wife Neile — with never-before-seen production footage and private tape recordings of the star’s candid thoughts, “Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans” takes the viewer inside the mind of this driven, complex movie idol as he fought to save his film.

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“Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre Jan. 11 through 14. Showtimes will be 4 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 11 and 12; and 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 13 and 14.

‘All Things Must Pass’

The doors are closed, but the legacy lives on. “All Things Must Pass” features an all-star cast of who’s who in the music industry and explores the meteoric rise and tragic fall of Tower Records.

Established in 1960, Tower Records was once a retail powerhouse with 200 stores in 30 countries on five continents. From humble beginnings in a small-town drugstore, Tower Records eventually became the heart and soul of the music world, and a powerful force in the music industry.

In 1999, Tower Records made an astounding $1 billion. In 2006, the company filed for bankruptcy. What went wrong? Everyone thinks they know what killed Tower Records: The Internet. But that’s not the story.

Directed by Colin Hanks, and featuring music icons like Dave Grohl, Elton John and Bruce Springsteen, “All Things Must Pass” is a feature documentary film examining this iconic company’s explosive trajectory, tragic demise and legacy forged by its rebellious founder Russ Solomon.

Newsweek raves, “One of the best documentaries of 2015! Unexpectedly intimate and emotionally-charged.” Variety said the film is “sentimental and sharply observed; freshly compelling, even poignant.” And FlavorWire calls it “Fascinating! Music fans need to see this!”

“All Things Must Pass” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre Jan. 11-14. Showtimes will be 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 11 and 12; and 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 13 and 14.

Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. Call 282-1177 for tickets and more information. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. SR 89A, in West Sedona. Visit the Sedona International Film Festival website for more information.

Andrew Pardiac

A 2008 graduate of Michigan State University, Andrew Pardiac was a Larson Newspapers' copy editor and reporter from October 2013 to October 2017. After moving to Michigan, then California, Pardiac was managing editor of Sonoma West Publishers' four newspapers in Napa and Sonoma valleys until November 2019.

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